Michigan Theatre executive director Steve Tucker would like every high school student in Jackson County to see the 2011 documentary “Bully” on the big screen at the Michigan Theatre.

“We met with all the superintendents and got good feedback,” Tucker said.

Tucker has arranged two private screenings of the film for administrators and teachers on Monday. He’s been working with Jackson County ISD health coordinator Steve Sukta to help coordinate the screenings.

“What we’re looking for is feedback from teachers to how to manage this project and prep the students to get the most out of it,” Sukta said. “We also need to decide what grade level would be appropriate to see the film.

“It’s rated PG-13, so that does help give us some guidelines.”

The Motion Picture Association of America’s PG-13 rating is for “intense thematic material, disturbing content, and some strong language – all involving kids.”

The screenings for high school students will likely be in February, Sukta said since “there’s not a lot going on then, so it’s a good time for projects like these.” He also said having junior high students view the movie is something administrators are considering, but it would be with parents’ permission.

“The first day of the screenings, we’re hoping to open it up to parents if they’d like to come and see the film before their child does,” Sukta said.

“It’s a hard-hitting film, but it’s reality. There is a purpose and a focus.”

As a now-retired teacher who spent nearly 30 years in the Vandercook Lake school system, Tucker finds the subject especially important.

“I think any school teacher is concerned (about bullying),” he said. “This can be a learning experience for the students, many of whom just don’t understand what’s appropriate and what’s not.

“It’s a good thing for kids to learn and take personal responsibility. When you’re a teacher with 25 or 30 kids in a classroom, sometimes you don’t notice things going on in time.”

The Michigan Theatre will cover the cost of showing the film to students, but Tucker said getting the students to the theater will be left up to the school system.

“Busing is among the details we need to work out between now and then,” Sukta said.